Boys need to be included in Teenage Pregnancy discussions – Men’s Affairs Officer

Jul 28, 2015 News

Quite easily, when thought is given to teenage pregnancy, images of very young girls with swelling bellies come to mind. With the way the masses think, hardly ever does it immediately register that teenage pregnancy often times include boys too.

Guyana has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Caribbean and South America and with 97 out of every 1000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 being affected; the approach to Teenage Pregnancy has essentially been centered on girls.

Men’s Affairs Officer, Steven Singh believes, however, that the time has come for boys to also be on the frontline.

Singh works in the Men’s Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Social Protection. He intends to present a proposal to roll out a “Boys and Teenage Pregnancy” programme. The Men’s Affairs Officer believes that sensitization is the key.

Speaking at a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) forum held recently at Cara Lodge, Georgetown, Singh discussed the negative perceptions that have been attached to the definition of “masculinity”.

“There needs to be messages being sent for them to know it makes you more of a man to be involved in these things. It makes you more of a man to want to help in the home. It makes you more of a man to do things that will benefit your community and by extension your country.”

The question, he said, is how to encourage young men to be involved and the Men’s Affairs Officer pointed to the prominent figures like sportsmen.

“These are people that our young men will become; have them send messages, have them engage in these things and they will see that the same people they look up to are doing good things in the community. It would transmit to young persons.”

When it comes to Teenage Pregnancy, Singh said that the talks are usually centered on women and girls whenever the social issue is being discussed. He lobbied Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, who was present at the forum, to have focus given to boys since they, too, are affected.
In most cases, the pregnancy is unexpected or unwanted. When such is the situation, most of the trouble appears to fall on the one bearing the child, the one who has to face the public stereotyping. But there is the teenager in the sideline who also has to face the music and accept responsibility for the child he too contributed in bringing into this world.

Zeroing on the situation, the Men’s Affairs Officer said the current approach to sex and sexual reproductive health being employed is “grossly disturbing” and most of what they learn about sex is through peer education or websites.

“I want the Men’s Affairs Bureau to take this on strong Minister, where we can go out there and educate our boys accordingly as it relates to their approach to sex, sexual reproductive health and pregnancy,” said Singh in the room filled with representatives from UNFPA, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), First Lady, Sandra Granger, as well as officials from various ministries among other stakeholders.

The Men’s Affairs Officer commented, “Many times, we as boys just get caught up in the moment and when the baby comes, we are not prepared for it at all, especially when it comes and we are unemployed.”

Not being able to even support the child, is one of those things highlighted as terrifying for boys. This can have far reaching effects. The proposal for ‘Boys and Teenage Pregnancy’ will be submitted to the Ministry. The Minister, who was also present at the forum, welcomed the proposal.
Uncertainty about his future arises; the male teen may feel he does not have enough knowledge to be a father.
The Men’s Affairs Bureau is actively involved in outreach programmes throughout the country where teenage pregnancy is one of the major topics addressed when visiting both primary and secondary schools to interact with the children and young adults.
In 2013, the State of the World Population Report, which puts the spotlight on girls who become mothers before their eighteenth birthday, listed Guyana at second in the Region.
More than seven million girls in poor countries give birth before the age of 18 every year, with two million of them being 14 years old or younger.
Every day in developing countries, 20,000 girls below age 18 give birth. Girls under the age of 15 account for two million of the annual total of 7.3 million new adolescent mothers. If current trends continue, the number of births to girls under 15 could rise to three million a year in 2030.
About 70,000 adolescents in developing countries die annually of causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. The report also places particular emphasis on girls 14 years and younger who are at double the risk of maternal death and obstetric fistula – a medical condition in which a hole develops between either the rectum and the vagina or between the bladder and the vagina after severe failed childbirth when adequate medical care is not provided.
In many cases, especially in girls under the age of 15, such pregnancies are not the result of a deliberate choice but rather an absence of choices, and of circumstances beyond a girl’s control. The report reminded that early pregnancies reflect powerlessness, poverty and pressures – from partners, peers, families and communities.